Analysis: How the German Version of 'The Island' Performed

Bafta-winning survival reality show 'The Island with Bear Grylls' got German adaptation. ProSieben aired it as a 7-day late prime event. Results are mixed.

German adaptation called 'Wild Island - Das pure Überleben' launched on Sunday, November 8, with almost 1.6 million viewers (3+) and 17.9% market share in the ad-relevant 14-49 target group. Share in the young demo was good for the broadcaster, cosindering ProSieben's 11.1% average share in November (1.-15. 11.). However the show later declined to single-digit values and returned to double digits only twice. First episode remained the strongest one of the whole season.

ProSieben tried local version of 'The Island' in late prime slot with variable start from 10 to 11 PM. It depended on its lead-in: first episode achieved good results in the demo after German free-TV premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (22.0% share in 14-49) and second most succesful episode aired on Thursday after 'The Voice of Germany'. On the other hand, the show hit lows due to extremely strong football match on ARD on Friday (30.9% share in 14-49) and Saturday shows on RTL ('Das Supertalent', 'Willkommen bei Mario Barth').

Overall performance wasn't excellent, especially shares were expected to be higher in less competitive late prime slots.

'Wild Island - Das pure Überleben' is based on British show 'The Island with Bear Grylls'. Endemol Shine Germany has produced the German version and Endemol Shine Group sells 'The Island' as a format internationally.